Through adaptations such as physical modifications in the environment, expanded social policies and cultural inclusion, participation expands to multiple ways of engagement.įocusing on the medical model-and economic productivity as a marker of ‘success’ or ‘healing’ from disability-creates an emphasis on disability as a lens of deficiency, launching into much of the ableist discourse most disabled people continue to advocate against today (and remains very pervasive-with much research to be done within the intersections of LGBTQIA+, disabled, and people of color) Social model: Society prevents meaningful participation. I must act, behave, communicate, or display as close to typical able-bodiedness to participate in my community. Medical model: My disability prevents meaningful participation. What are the medical and social models of disability? While the video above is a great intro, what it boils down to is how disability is perceived:
